April 17, 2015
Judges 1-Part 1
And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites: and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
Judges 1:3
LET IT GLOW
Growing up, did you have a friend with whom you were inseparable? I did. She and were bgf most of our elementary and junior high days. We played together, rode bikes together, ran around together, and shared our secrets. Then we gradually grew apart. Nothing happened in particular, it just happened. Our teen years just resulted in our going different paths. I wanted to serve the Lord and focused on learning His Word. I wonder what has happened to my dear friend. I haven't spoken to her since high school, 43 years. I should try to find her and renew our friendship. Do you have a similar situation?
The tribe of Judah had brethren with whom they were inseparable. Read on to find out who it was and what they did together.
The 12 tribes of the children of Israel got their land allotment and went home to possess it. There is a potential of defeat if each tribe does not totally drive out their enemies from their land.
So the children of Israel asked the Lord, Who will be the first to up and fight for us against the Canaanites? (verse 1)
Who did the Lord say, but Judah. God had given the land into their hands.
What happens next?
Liberty Bible Commentary explains:
- The tribe of Judah went to their tribal blood brothers of Simeon. Simeon's tribe wasn't assigned a specific territory of its own, but was allowed to settle within the portion assigned to Judah. These two tribes became virtually inseparable.
- They allied themselves to go to war against the Canaanites and the Perizzites of whom they slew 10,000 men in Bezek.
- They fought Adoni-bezek, previously the king of Jerusalem, now leading the southern confederation of Canaanite cities against the Gibeonites. He was defeated at Bezek and brought to Jerusalem afterwards, where he died. This had been the king who conquered 70 kings and brought them under his submission by cutting off their thumbs and big toes.
- Physical mutilation disqualified a person from religious or political office (Lev. 21:16-24). Without thumbs, a man could not handle a weapon effectively. Those 70 lived and became servants of this ruthless Adoni-bezek. He admitted that God paid him back for what he did to the 70.
Are we obedient to what God tells us to do? Are we faithful in spite of the hardships? Do we rely upon God to help us overcome?
LET IT GROW
The city of Jerusalem was captured by the sword and set on fire by the men of Judah.
What is the importance of this?
Jerusalem is:
- one of the oldest cities in the world. Its original occupation was on the Hill of Ophel, south of the area where the Temple would later stand.
- In Genesis 14:18, it is referred to as the city of Salem.
- It was one of the most important Canaanite city-states.
- Egyptian texts mention it as early as 1900 B.C.
- The Jebusites controlled the city, which was not permanently conquered and settled by the Israelites until the time of David (1Chr. 11:4-9). Some suggest that the tribe of Judah conquered the city itself, but not the stronghold of the Jebusite tower.
- Jesus loved Jerusalem. He taught in the Temple there and spent much time there. In Revelation, Jesus spoke of the New Jerusalem (ch. 3) and John saw the holy city in a vision (ch. 21)
Scripture goes on to list other cities that Judah and Simeon tribes conquered: Hebron, Debir, Zephath, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron (verses 10-18). However, verse 19 tells us Judah was unable to drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had chariots of iron.
Are we ready for the new heaven and new earth, a new Jerusalem? Are we proclaiming it to the world?
LET IT GO
... of the old ways and take on the new ways of Jesus.
... of self and surrender to the Savior.
... of the old world and look to the new heaven and earth where Jesus is Lord.
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